Dec. 30, 2003

Box Score

Moraga, CA - The Saint Mary's women's basketball team used excellent defense and timely offense to beat the University of Pacific 46-45 on Tuesday night at McKeon Pavilion. The Gaels held the Tigers to 26 percent shooting from the field and outrebounded Pacific 56-33. With the win the Gaels improve to 7-5 on the season, while Pacific fell to 1-8. The win also gives Saint Mary's a 4-1 record at McKeon Pavilion.

The defensive effort by the Gaels marks the fourth time this season they have held their opponent to under 50 points, giving them a 4-0 record in those games.

Offensively, the Gaels were led by sophomore guard Evynn Van Burger, who was making her third start of the season. Van Burger scored a team-high 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Freshman guard Serena Benavente added eight points and Eghosa Obaiza, Erika Urmonaite and Triola Jackson each had seven points.

Saint Mary's and Pacific went back-and-forth for most of the game, with the Gaels using late runs in each half. The Gaels closed out the first half on an 11-1 run to take a 22-18 halftime lead. Saint Mary's closed out the game by outscoring the Tigers 8-0 from the eight minute mark to the three minute mark of the second half.

The Gaels opened up a 46-37 lead over the Tigers with 2:29 remaining in the game after a Benavente 3-pointer and held on for the victory.

Saint Mary's returns to action on Saturday, January 3 when it faces UNLV at 7:05 p.m. at McKeon Pavilion.